Michael Jackson-Bolanos no longer in prison, Michigan corrections says
Why Michael Jackson-Bolanos cannot be retried for Samantha Woll's murder
After the split verdict in Jackson-Bolanos' trial, a legal precedent set 15 years ago was applied -- which means the prosecutor cannot retry him on the case right now
(FOX 2) - The man acquitted of murdering a well-known Jewish leader in Detroit has been released from prison after serving more than two years in prison for lying to a peace officer.
Michael Jackson-Bolanos was convicted of the offense while being found not guilty of killing Samantha Woll in 2024. The prominent Jewish leader's death led to a high-profile trial in July of that year, which eventually ended in a split verdict.
Jackson-Bolanos was paroled on Oct. 6, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections.
FOX 2 has reached out to his attorney for comment.
Michael Jackson-Bolanos paroled
Catching up:
Jackson-Bolanos, 31, was released from Wayne County prison on Oct. 6, according to an MDOC database.
He initially received a habitual offender sentence of 18 months to 15 years for lying to a peace officer during the investigation into Woll's murder.
The Wayne County prosecutor has fought cases in court in a bid to retry Jackson-Bolanos for first-degree home invasion. The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled against Kym Worthy.
‘My sister’s murderer got away with it’: Samantha Woll’s family may never get justice
The murder of Samantha Woll was shocking to her family - but the not guilty verdict of the man they believed killed her was even moreso and they may never see justice.
Samantha Woll's family seeks justice
The backstory:
Woll's family believe she may never see justice after the Jackson-Bolanos' not-guilty verdict.
Woll was found with several stab wounds outside her Detroit home last October. She had returned from a wedding the night before. The next time she was seen was on the front lawn of her home, a witness who spoke from the stand during the trial said.
Throughout the trial, Jackson-Bolanos maintained his innocence, including from the stand where he testified in his defense. He did admit to lying to police.
Police found Woll's blood on the defendant's clothes during their investigation. The prosecution claimed the evidence was proof that Jackson-Bolanos stabbed her, in addition to surveillance video showing him near Woll's home at the time of the crime.
But Jackson-Bolanos says the blood found on his jacket was from coming across her body — not from stabbing her.
His defense attorney had another theory about the case, arguing it was Woll's ex-boyfriend who was guilty. He had previously confessed to police before recounting the statement and later earning immunity.
The Source: The Michigan Department of Corrections and previous reporting was cited for this story.